Synthesis and Characterization of Jatropha Oil Based Epoxy Resins and Their Composites with Graphene Oxide

Abstract

In this present work we have studied the synthesis, characterization and properties of jatropha oil based epoxy resins and their nanocomposites with graphene oxide (GO). Nanocomposites with different wt% of GO (1, 2, and 3 wt%) were prepared by solution intercalation method. Citric acid (CA) was used as curing agent for the epoxy resins and acetone as the solvent. In all the cases, the ratio of the epoxy equivalent and carboxylic equivalent was taken as 1:1. The structural and performance characteristics of the prepared nanocomposites were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and universal testing machine (UTM). The chemical resistance of the nanocomposites were tested by monitoring the weight loss at a definite period of time. The results showed that the incorporation of GO significantly improved the performance characteristics of the jatropha oil based epoxy resins. It was observed that the nanocomposite with 3 wt% of GO showed best balance of thermal and mechanical properties. The gloss of cured films was measured by digital gloss meter and showed gratifying gloss.